Judge Demands More Action In Everglades Restoration
MIAMI (CBSMIAMI/AP) - The gavel slammed in the name of the Everglades on Thursday.
U.S. District Judge Alan Gold pushed for more action in the Everglades restoration . He has been harshly critical of the already turtle paced project overseen by federal and state environmental officials.
According to Gold, he will continue holding officials' feet to the fire until concrete steps are taken to reduce phosphorus-laden runoff into the wetlands.
While Gold is pushing for more action, the attorneys for the U.S. and the state of Florida assured the judge that they too have the same goals.
Gov. Rick Scott recently proposed a plan which would cost less than the $1 billion plan proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Under Scott's plan, $40 million would go towards the restoration.
This year the state also put $30 million into the Everglades cleanup project. The Everglades Foundation called the increase "significant, and noted that the $30 million was only spent after lawmakers upped dramatically Scott's recommendation last year for $17 million.
Both sides are currently discussing the newly proposed plan while the EPA is currently reviewing it for water quality standards.
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